Publication:

Knowledge towards antibiotic usage among paramedics and non-medical personnels of a tertiary care hospital

Background The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, self-medication behaviour and attitudes toward antibiotic usage among paramedics and non-medical working staff of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods A cross-sectional study was designed using a self-administered questionnaire to access the knowledge, self-medication behaviour and attitude towards antibiotics usages among the two groups of participants from paramedics and non- medical working staff of PGIMS Rohtak administration.

Results All the participants from paramedics (100%) were aware of the term antibiotics and antibiotic resistance compared to the non-medical personnels. Non-medical staffs (86%) were aware of the term antibiotics but their understanding about antibacterial resistance was only 44 %. Majority of participants have self-medication experiences (86% and 84% for paramedics and non-medical staff respectively). Antibiotics were used by both the groups for symptomatic treatment of various clinical conditions without any rationale justifications. The major reason for not visiting medical practitioner was cost saving and convenience (non-medical staff 80% and paramedics 60%. Antibiotics were mainly obtained from the community pharmacist (non-medical staff 100% and paramedics 68%).

Conclusions Self-medication practice was prevalent among the participants and lack of up-to-date knowledge was the major areas of concern. Antibiotic awareness should reach every corner of our society for prevention of antibiotic resistance.